by Laura Scott
“No clue,” he admitted. He wasn’t necessarily proud of his reputation with women but hadn’t actively done anything to change it, either. He dated often, but never more than a few times with one woman before moving on. Despite that, he hadn’t left a trail of broken hearts behind. He’d worked hard to make sure the women he went out with knew he was all about fun and nothing more serious. He had Christian values after all, so he’d never crossed the line. And they’d always parted as friends.
But Eva was different from the women he usually went out with. Not just because she was stunningly beautiful, but because of the many complex facets to her personality. Layers he was dying to peel away in order to catch a glimpse of the real woman hiding beneath.
Not that he would be getting that chance anytime soon, he thought wryly. Which was too bad, since she intrigued him in a way the others hadn’t. Unfortunately, he wasn’t relationship material. His dad had been a cop and his mother had left them both when he was just a kid. He remembered being huddled in his bed, listening to his parents fight. His mother had railed at his father that sitting around waiting for him to get home wasn’t fair, especially when she wasn’t even sure he’d come home safely. She’d screamed at him that the reality of being a cop’s wife wasn’t what she’d signed up for and that she was leaving.
Finn’s mother had never come back.
“She’s a looker. You gonna just let her leave like that?” Joey asked, breaking into his thoughts.
“No. Come, Abernathy.” He followed Eva outside, figuring that once she’d got outside she’d change her mind and wait by the police-marked SUV for him to take her home.
But he was wrong. Emerging from the building, he headed toward the spot where he’d left his vehicle, then stopped when he noticed Eva wasn’t waiting by the SUV. In fact, she wasn’t anywhere in sight. He frowned, sweeping his gaze over the area, trying to imagine which way she’d gone. Had she called a car service?
A glimpse of golden-blond hair caught his gaze, and he was shocked to see that Eva was already several blocks away. Did she really intend to walk all the way home? Or was she heading toward the subway station?
Was she familiar with the Jackson Heights area? He wasn’t sure.
Muttering under his breath, he and Abernathy picked up the pace in order to catch up with her. Not because he believed the neighborhood was dangerous, but he had promised to take her home. She’d been assaulted just a few hours earlier, and it didn’t sit right to have her leaving on her own like this.
“Eva!” He called her name, hoping she’d stop and wait up for him. But the streets of New York were always packed with people and, from what he could tell, she didn’t act as if she heard him.
She seemed to be heading toward one of the subway stations, so he tried to move faster, bumping into people as he attempted to navigate around them.
“Excuse me. Pardon me. Sorry,” he said as he jostled the pedestrians around him. Abernathy kept up with him, as if sensing they were on the hunt. “Eva! Wait up!”
She hesitated, turning to look behind her. He waved, hoping she’d recognize him.
But she simply turned back in the direction she’d been going. He scowled, wondering if she was purposefully leading him on. He’d never chased a woman in his life and wasn’t sure why on earth he was doing it now.
For some illogical reason, he didn’t want her to go off alone. The dognapper was probably long gone—the perp had no reason to stick around—but Finn still didn’t like it. Abernathy brushed against his legs as they attempted to close the gap between them. Eva paused at the next intersection, her gaze focused on the subway station up ahead.
“Stubborn as an ox,” he said to Abernathy as they reached the same intersection. He’d only taken two steps when he heard her shriek.
“No! Let go of me! Help! Help!”
“Eva!” Finn managed to shove past an older guy standing in front of him as he attempted to catch up to her. His gaze narrowed when he realized there was a big man tugging on her arm. Realizing the man was trying to get her into a waiting car, he yelled again. “Police! Let her go!”
Finn barreled through the crowd just as Eva was pushed backward directly toward him. He took his eyes off the assailant in time to catch her.
“It’s Finn. I’ve got you!” He clutched Eva close to his chest, breathing hard. His heart—or maybe it was hers—thundered against his ribs. The man jumped into the car and it took off, disappearing into traffic. Finn squinted in an effort to see the license plate, but the cars were too close together. Hopefully he’d get something off one of the cameras nearby. Frustrated and worried, he turned his attention to Eva. “Are you all right?”
“I think so.” Her voice was breathless, and he was grateful she made no move to push him away. He wanted—needed—to keep holding her, making sure she was truly not harmed. Abernathy sniffed at her, his tail wagging as if he was also glad she was okay.
As other subway goers brushed past them, Finn could hardly wrap his brain around what had just happened. If he hadn’t been there, the big man would have succeeded in getting her into the car, abducting her.
Finally, she straightened, putting a little distance between them. “I’m okay,” she said.
“That was too close,” he said, more than a little upset at the attempt so close to their K-9 headquarters. He pulled out his phone. “Patricia? Tell Danielle Abbott I need to get the video feed from the cameras located near the subway station to the south of headquarters.”
“Will do,” the officer promised.
He turned back to Eva. “Sure you’re not hurt?”
“I’m sure.” She allowed him to gently tug her out of the stream of pedestrian traffic. Abernathy sat beside him, waiting for his next command. He bent to give the K-9 a quick rub, then focused on Eva.
“What happened?”
Eva lifted a trembling hand and tucked a strand of long blond hair behind her ear. “A guy came up beside me and grabbed my arm, telling me I had to go with him in the black car, a four-door sedan. I screamed for help, then I heard you call out. That’s when he pushed me backward and jumped into the car to escape.”
Finn nodded. Her story was exactly what he’d seen. He wanted to pull her close again but managed to refrain. He thought back, trying to put an image in his head of the man who’d been beside her. He’d seen the guy only from the back, and he was dressed from head to toe in black. There had been a tattoo of sorts peeking out from beneath the sleeve of his T-shirt. Eva hadn’t mentioned a tattoo but said she’d got only a glimpse of the guy. “Did you recognize him? Was it the same man who stole Cocoa?”
There was a long pause before she finally shook her head. “You’re going to think I’m nuts, but no. It wasn’t the same man.”
He wasn’t sure he agreed but let it go for the moment. This latest attempt on Eva had to be related to the Cocoa dognapping. It was the only thing that made sense.
But how? And why?
THREE
Shaken by her second attack in less than a couple of hours, Eva longed to step into Finn’s broad arms, soaking up his strength. What in the world was going on? She had no idea, other than she knew the man had almost got away with dragging her into the car. If not for her cry for help, and the way Finn had announced he was a cop and called her by name, she was certain she’d already be a hostage in the car being taken to who knows where.
She shivered, realizing how stupid she had been to leave the police station alone. Especially since her motivation was nothing more than wounded pride.
“This has to be related to the incident from this morning.” Finn’s voice broke into her thoughts. “And from what I could tell, the guy was dressed in black and wearing a ball cap, the same as how you described the man from this morning. If we can get the camera footage, we may catch a glimpse of his face or the license plate of the car.”
“That’s
fine, but it wasn’t the same man,” she insisted, battling a wave of frustration. She tried to think of a way to make him understand. “This guy was slighter in build and sounded—different. His voice was raspy and he smelled kind of dusty.”
“Raspy and dusty?” His voice held a note of skepticism. “Okay, then, did you notice anything different about the voice or scent from the guy who took Cocoa from the training center?”
“He smelled stinky, like he needed a shower, not dusty.” She thought back for a moment. “And there was a twang in his voice, as if he may have been from somewhere else. A hint of the South, maybe.” When Finn’s eyebrows levered upward she felt defensive all over again. “Never mind. I know this may seem crazy to you as a cop, but that’s the only way I can describe the difference between the two men. Thanks again for coming to my rescue.”
“Hold on, Eva.” Finn reached out and caught her hand. Ridiculous that she liked the feel of his warm fingers cradling hers. “I’m sorry. Sounds and smells are important, so I appreciate the extra clues. We’ll get this guy, and the one who took Cocoa, too. But right now, I’m going to take you home.”
The word home brought an image of Mikey. Mikey! What if her presence put the child in danger? For the first time in years, she was tempted to pray, to ask God to watch over her young nephew. “Okay, but can we please hurry? I’d like to pick up my nephew from preschool. My brother-in-law is out of town for the week at a training conference in Atlanta, so I’m taking care of his son. It’s a bit early to pick him up, but I’ll feel better once he’s with me.”
“Not a problem. Let’s head back to the station, where I left my SUV.” Finn put his arm around her waist and, despite her determination to remain independent, she was grateful for his support. Abernathy walked along Finn’s other side, and she couldn’t help thinking about Cocoa.
Why had the pup been taken by the stinky Southern-twang guy? And why had the raspy-voiced man tried to drag her into the car? None of it made any sense.
Worst of all, she feared for her nephew.
“Do you think Mikey will be in danger?” she asked as they made their way toward his SUV. “Maybe I should move to a hotel temporarily.”
“Where do you live?” Finn asked.
“I’m staying at my brother-in-law’s for now, while I take care of Mikey. He has a small house in Forest Hills, not far from the training center.”
“What about when you’re not staying at Pete’s place?” Finn asked. His tone was casual, but she sensed he really wanted to know.
“I rent a room in a three-bedroom house owned by one of my college roommates. Her parents are doctors at the hospital and bought it for her. The house is only about five miles from Pete’s. I can walk to the training facility or take a short subway ride if the weather is bad.”
“Okay, let’s pick up Mikey and head back to the house. We’ll figure out the next steps later.” Finn steered her toward the SUV and opened the passenger door for her, then the back hatch for Abernathy.
Traffic was always a challenge, especially getting from Jackson Heights over to Forest Hills. Eva could feel her nerves fraying with every stoplight and every bumper-to-bumper slowdown. Logically she knew the two men in black had been after her and Cocoa, not Mikey, but she wouldn’t rest easy until she had the little boy safe at home.
The preschool wasn’t far, and when Finn pulled up beside it, she told him she’d be right back, shoved open her door and jumped out. Quickly, she went inside, then paused, waiting for her eyes to adjust from the bright sunlight to the dim interior of the building.
“Auntie Eva!” She heard Mikey before she saw him running toward her.
“Mikey!” She swept the little boy into her arms, cuddling him close. His blond hair was so much like hers that people often assumed she was the boy’s mother. “I’m here to take you home.”
“You’re early.” Peggy Harris, Mikey’s preschool teacher, came over to stand beside her. “We were in the middle of a Father’s Day art project.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” Eva didn’t want to go into the events of her morning, so she simply offered a wan smile. “Tomorrow he’ll be here for the full day.”
“That’s fine.” Peggy reached out to smooth Mikey’s hair. “You can finish your art project tomorrow, Mikey. Be a good boy today for your aunt Eva, okay?”
“’Kay,” Mikey said agreeably.
Eva held her nephew in her arms as she turned to head back to the doorway, assuming Finn was waiting outside in the SUV. It occurred to her that she didn’t have Mikey’s car seat, and the thought of walking back to Pete’s house, the way she normally did, wasn’t very appealing. Being outside made her feel vulnerable, and she refused to risk anything happening to Mikey.
She turned around and went back to find Peggy. “Do you have a car seat I can use temporarily?”
“Sure, you can borrow this one.” She pulled a bulky car seat from the supply closet. “We have a few extras, but try to remember to bring it back as soon as you can.”
“I will. Thanks, Peggy.” Eva carried the car seat with one hand while holding Mikey’s hand with the other.
Finn and Abernathy were coming into the building as she and Mikey came out. “Next time, wait for me,” Finn chided without heat. “Parking is a nightmare around here.”
“Doggy!” Mikey tugged on her hand, reaching out toward Abernathy. “I wanna pet the doggy!”
Finn laughed, a hearty sound that sent shivers of awareness down her spine. She had no idea why on earth she had this strong reaction to the sound of his laugher, but she found herself smiling as she released her nephew.
Finn crouched next to Mikey, placing his hand on Mikey’s shoulder. “Friend, Abernathy,” Finn said.
“Good doggy,” Mikey said, stroking Abernathy’s silky fur. “Nice doggy.”
“His name is Abernathy,” Finn explained, then cocked his head to the side. “That seems like a mouthful for such a little guy like you. Maybe you can call him Abe.”
“Abe,” Mikey repeated.
“And I’m Officer Finn,” he added.
Abernathy attempted to lick Mikey’s face, which sent the little boy into gales of laughter. Finn chuckled, and for a moment she could easily imagine the K-9 cop with a child of his own.
It was enough to snap her out of her reverie. Having a child—a family of her own—wasn’t part of her future.
Losing her eyesight would make it difficult enough to take care for herself, much less a child.
The sooner she accepted that reality, the better.
* * *
Finn loved watching Mikey and Abernathy together. Boys and dogs went together like peanut butter and jelly. But it was time to get going, so he called Abernathy over.
“Come,” he commanded.
Abernathy instantly wheeled around and came to sit beside Finn, looking up at him expectantly. “Time to go.” He led the way down the street to the parking spot he’d managed to find. When they reached the vehicle, he opened the back. Abernathy jumped inside with lithe grace.
Finn came around to help Eva with the car seat. Once she had it secure, she set Mikey inside, buckling him in. He opened the front passenger-side door for her, and she hesitated for a moment before climbing in.
After sliding in behind the wheel, Finn glanced over at her. “I was thinking once you’re safe at home, I could go out and grab something for lunch.”
She hesitated, then nodded, seemingly relived. “That would be great. I’m still too shaken up to cook.”
“Any particular food Mikey likes best?” NYC was well-known for its variety of restaurants, but he had no clue what three-year-old kids preferred to eat.
“Pizza!” Mikey said excitedly. “I love pizza!”
“I know you do,” Eva said, glancing back at her nephew. “It’s your favorite, right? We’ll eat as soon as we’re home.”
> “Speaking of which, I’ll need directions.”
“Keep heading north, then turn left at the next intersection.”
Eva continued to give him directions until he pulled into a narrow driveway in front of an older-model brown brick home wedged in between two others. It was a nice place to raise a child, he thought as he slid the gearshift into Park. He thought there might even be a little sliver of a fenced-in backyard for Mikey to play in.
“We’re home,” Eva said, as she carried Mikey out of the SUV. Finn went around to the back to let Abernathy out, grabbing the dog’s water dish and tucking it under his arm as he followed Eva and Mikey inside.
Eva hesitated for a moment in the doorway, and he wondered if she’d noticed something out of place. “What’s wrong?”
“Oh, nothing.” She flushed as if she were embarrassed, then moved farther inside. The small kitchen was crowded with two adults, a little boy and a dog, but Eva acted as if she didn’t notice.
“Okay, what’s for lunch?” he asked, filling Abernathy’s water dish and setting it in the corner of the kitchen.
“Ordering pepperoni pizza would be easiest, then you don’t have to leave.” There was an underlying note of fear in Eva’s voice and he understood she was loath to be alone.
“Not a problem.” He caught a glimpse of a local pizza flyer on the fridge. Using his cell, he dialed the number and ordered a cheese-and-pepperoni pizza. When that was done, he took Abernathy’s vest off, giving him a bit of freedom to explore. Abernathy lapped at the water, then began sniffing around the edges of the room.
Finn’s phone rang and he quickly answered it. “Gallagher.”
“We got the video feed you requested,” Danielle Abbott, their technical guru said. “But it’s not a lot of help. The camera angle isn’t great. The cars are too close together to get a view of the license plate, and the crowds of people on the sidewalk obscure the view of the perp’s face. I’ll keep trying to clear up the video, but I can’t make any promises.”
Finn battled a wave of frustration. “Okay. Thanks, Danielle.”